Idina Menzel Is Ready To Return To The Film Adaptation Of Wicked

Idina Menzel recently told the media that she is ready to work on any future adaptation of Wicked the musical. The singer and actress, 50, has expressed her keen interest in the project.

Menzel while chatting with PEOPLE, spoke of her readiness to appear in the movie even if they offer her the spot at 51.

But she went on to say that the opportunity had long gone. The star is a legend as she appeared in the musical Elphaba throughout its Broadway screening from October 2003 to January 2005.

Menzel had started alongside Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) in the original stage presentation.

Universal looks ready to adapt the musical into a film and first announced this in 2016. The award-winning musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel called “Wicked: The Life and Time of the Wicked Witch of the West which was released in 1995.

Jon M. Chu is set to direct the film back in February 2021. Later, in November that year, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were announced to play Glinda and Elphaba respectively.

The screenplay will be adapted by Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, as the role of the producer is retained by Marc Platt.

Menzel continued her chat with PEOPLE and spoke positively about Grande, 28 and Erivo, 35. She spoke about being friends with both actresses and says that she trusts they will not disappoint in the movie.

When asked for a word of advice for both young actresses, Menzel went on to tell the girls to enjoy every bit of the show, savour the process, should preserve the show’s legacy, while remembering that young people are in their millions looking forward to the show.

The female Broadway legend continued that the show had motivated lots of young people and made them embrace their special qualities. Explore the upcoming cities and dates of Wicked tour to see the favorite show in your hometown.

The veteran actress recommended that it will benefit people immensely if the film was split apart. This way, every bit of the story will be told.

She spoke highly of the novel and said that she read it before she was ever featured in the show. She spoke of the rich details in the book.

She said that it will be exciting if we learnt more about the show.

The film adaptation of Wicked is set to be released in two phases. It will make its theatrical debut in December 2024. Then the sequel will have a later release date in the holiday season of 2025.